The insect-like foam creature (19 in. x 7 in. x 4 in.) features two protruding black compound eyes, each detailed with numerous ommatidia. Its chest is crafted from reptile-like scales painted in copper and metallic green hues. The bottom of the creature is covered in brown and green hair. It has two claws and a large, beak-like movable mouth. The entire body is painted with shades of green, brown, and tan. The lapling was designed by Michael Westmore and was restored by Tom Spina.
Seen in a cage in Kivas Fajo’s gallery aboard his vessel, the Jovis, in the Star Trek: TNG season three episode #170 “The Most Toys,” which aired the week of May 7, 1990. The lapling was a rare, small, and non-sapient creature that was considered nearly extinct, making it a highly prized piece of Fajo's collection. Fajo was a psychopathic collector who devalued life. He treated the lapling with a bizarre, mocking affection, often calling it with the sound "bidi-bidi-bidi". This was an ad-libbed reference by actor Saul Rubinek to the robot Twiki from Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. While it was a "one-shot" alien for decades, the lapling recently reappeared in the franchise as the mascot for Starfleet Academy in the 23rd century. The insect-like foam creature (19 in. x 7 in. x 4 in.) features two protruding black compound eyes, each detailed with numerous ommatidia. Its chest is crafted from reptile-like scales painted in copper and metallic green hues. The bottom of the creature is covered in brown and green hair. It has two claws and a large, beak-like movable mouth. The entire body is painted with shades of green, brown, and tan. The lapling was designed by Michael Westmore and was restored by Tom Spina. Heritage Hollywood/Entertainment Showcase Auction #41199, Lot 4196, Wednesday March 25, 2026 - Michael Westmore.
